Wooo, we're famous!

Rez kids get queer sensitivity training
By Julia Kalinina
News Writer

Two fourth-year students hope their efforts will make residences a more comfortable place for queer students by getting residents to talk about issues of sexual assault, gender, and tolerance of sexual diversity.

The Rez Project aims to open up dialogue and create a safer environment for all students. The program consists of two one-hour sessions led by student volunteers.

Facilitators break the ice by engaging students in games that are designed to allow them to open up and voice any questions or opinions they might have.

In one game at a Douglas Hall session, students were split into small groups, and given a series of flashcards depicting scenarios such as hand-holding or discussing Sexually Transmitted Infections. Students were then asked to put the cards in order of intimacy.

Leaders also challenged common misconceptions about sexuality by asking questions such as “what do you think caused your heterosexuality?” and “would you want your children to be heterosexual knowing the problems they’d face?”

Carly Boyce, one of the program’s coordinators, said that residents have been very receptive to the training so far.

“One of the cool things I’ve seen happen is when someone says something negative or intolerant and we, the facilitators, don’t have to react to it because one of the peers will speak up,” said Boyce, adding that clear ground rules make it easier for participants to confront each other on their negative stereotypes.

Students, for their part, said that even though they had previously learned about the issues that were addressed, they had never discussed them so openly.

“It’s kind of reassuring to see that we mostly share each other’s views on intolerance, sexual assault, and other such problems,” said Amy Fisher.

Leah Polgoy came up with the idea for the Rez Project several years ago, when she organized a group to lead small discussion groups in high schools around Montreal.

Last year, under Boyce’s leadership, the project was launched at Gardner Hall, and involved eight volunteers and 200 participants.

This year, the initiative has received support from Queer McGill, the Trans/Gender Alliance, and the Sexual Assault Centre of McGill Students’ Society. The number of volunteers has increased to 60, and all Upper Residence, Douglas Hall, and New Residence residents are required to participate.

Boyce hopes that the program will create a more welcoming residence environment for all first-year students.

“When a queer person is coming to a new environment, it’s always a concern how people are going to react to them. The project opens up dialogue and I think it makes people feel more comfortable,” said Boyce.

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Rez Project was the funnest. But Jesus, 60 volunteers this year? That is so incredible!! I'm so jealous....

P.S: I love you, Carly Boyce and Leah "Polgoy" (wtf? hehehehe).